It was another super exciting weekend of soccer around the world, filled with goals, drama, and amazing performances. Players from Europe’s top leagues, Major League Soccer (MLS), and beyond showed their class — but one man stood above them all: Vinícius Jr. The Real Madrid superstar earned a perfect 10 rating, leading our Team of the Week!
Let’s check out who made it into this dream lineup — and why they totally deserved it.
Vinícius Jr.
Goalkeeper: Arijanet Muric (Sassuolo) – Rating: 8.7
Sassuolo earned their second straight win with a 1–0 victory over Verona, and the hero between the posts was Arijanet Muric.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper, on loan from Ipswich Town, faced nine shots on target and saved every single one! That’s 100% shot-stopping! His performance denied Verona an expected goals on target (xGOT) total of 1.42 — a stat that shows how tough those shots were.
Muric also came out strong for high balls, winning both of his aerial duels. For goalkeepers, confidence in the air is key — especially in Italy’s Serie A, where set pieces often decide games. His calm and solid play helped Sassuolo keep a clean sheet.
Soccer fact: The world record for most saves in a single match is 14, made by Tim Krul (Norwich City) in 2019 against Manchester City!
Vinícius Jr.
Defense
Leo Santos (Nacional) – Rating: 8.9
In Portugal’s Liga Portugal, Leo Santos was a total boss for Nacional during their thrilling 3–2 win over Moreirense.
Not only did he score an incredible header to tie the game at 2–2, but he also made five clearances and won five out of seven aerial duels. That’s exactly what coaches dream of from a center-back — strong in the air, brave in defense, and dangerous on set pieces!
Leo now has two goals this season, proving that defenders can also be scoring threats.
Fun combo tip: If you’re building a “Defenders Who Score” combo for your fantasy soccer team, Leo Santos and Inter’s Dimarco make a great pair!
Emin Bayram (Westerlo) – Rating: 8.8
In Belgium, young Turkish defender Emin Bayram showed maturity beyond his years as Westerlo beat Leuven 2–0.
Bayram dominated the game defensively, winning 11 of 12 duels and making 16 clearances. That means he stopped nearly every attack that came his way. His passing was also sharp, completing 40 out of 43 passes, and one of them created a big chance.
Soccer fact: The average professional center-back wins around 60% of duels — Bayram hit over 90%! That’s elite level!
Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan) – Rating: 9.9
Almost perfect! Federico Dimarco delivered a masterclass for Inter in their 4–1 victory over Cremonese.
The energetic left-back assisted the second goal with a perfect cross, then smashed home a stunning strike from outside the box to make it 3–0. He also created four more chances during the game — pure creativity!
Dimarco’s attacking style reminds fans of classic Italian wing-backs like Paolo Maldini and Roberto Carlos. With a 9.9 rating, he was just a step away from perfection.
Hot news: Dimarco’s form keeps Inter on top of Serie A, as they chase another Scudetto title.
Midfield
Martial Godo (Strasbourg) – Rating: 9.3
In France, Martial Godo had a weekend to remember! The 22-year-old scored two goals in Strasbourg’s huge 5–0 win over Angers, helping his team jump to third in Ligue 1.
After giving two assists in midweek Europa play, Godo was everywhere again — scoring twice in just four minutes! His energy and confidence show he’s one of the top young midfielders to watch in France.
Soccer fact: Strasbourg’s biggest-ever Ligue 1 win came in 1978 — a 6–0 victory. Godo’s team came close this week!
Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) – Rating: 9.3
Across the Atlantic in MLS, Sebastian Berhalter (yes, son of U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter) led the Whitecaps’ 4–1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes.
He scored two goals and added an assist, including a 30-yard rocket that hit the top corner. That strike will definitely be on MLS highlight reels for weeks!
Combo idea: Try a “North American Stars” combo — Berhalter (Vancouver) + Pellegrino (San Diego) + Muric (Sassuolo). You’ll get a mix of goals, assists, and saves!
Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven) – Rating: 9.5
In the Dutch Eredivisie, Joey Veerman kept up his incredible form in PSV’s win over Zwolle.
With many of PSV’s key attackers injured, Veerman has become the team’s playmaker and scorer. He netted one goal from 12 yards out, passed at 89% accuracy, and won all three of his ground duels.
The 26-year-old has quickly turned into one of the best midfielders in Europe’s smaller leagues. Scouts from the Premier League are definitely watching!
Fact check: PSV have started their season unbeaten, scoring over 2.5 goals in almost every match — great for Over 2.5 Goals betting fans!
Amahl Pellegrino (San Diego FC) – Rating: 9.9
Norwegian winger Amahl Pellegrino was the MLS super-sub hero of the weekend!
Coming off the bench at halftime with his team losing to Houston Dynamo, Pellegrino changed everything. He assisted the winning goal in the 89th minute and then scored another deep in stoppage time, sealing a 4–2 comeback win for San Diego.
Fun fact: Pellegrino has now scored or assisted in five straight games — a club record!
Attack
Inaki Williams (Athletic Club) – Rating: 9.1
Athletic Club finally broke their six-game winless streak, and Inaki Williams was the difference-maker.
He opened the scoring with a confident penalty against Mallorca — his first goal after nine games. His speed and pressing helped Bilbao dominate throughout the match.
Inaki’s brother, Nico Williams, also played well — the two have become one of the most exciting sibling duos in European soccer.
Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan) – Rating: 9.5
Inter Milan’s 21-year-old forward Ange-Yoan Bonny had a dream debut start! He was involved in all four of Inter’s goals versus Cremonese.
Bonny assisted Lautaro Martinez’s opener, scored a powerful header himself, and then added two more assists for Dimarco and Barella. What a complete performance!
Soccer combo fact: Bonny and Dimarco are the first Inter duo this season to both score and assist in the same match.
Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid) – Rating: 10.0 ⭐
And finally… the star of the week! 🌟
Vinícius Jr. led Real Madrid to a 3–1 win over Villarreal, scoring twice — once from open play and once from the penalty spot. His lightning pace, dribbling (six successful take-ons), and relentless energy earned him a perfect 10/10 rating.
He also won 11 duels and helped Madrid climb to the top of LaLiga under coach Xabi Alonso.
Vinícius has bounced back brilliantly after a slow start to the season. With his form improving and Jude Bellingham supporting him, Real Madrid look ready to fight for another Champions League crown.
Cool fact: Vinícius Jr. has now scored or assisted in seven straight matches — his best streak since 2022!
Vinícius Jr.
Bonus Soccer Combo of the Week
If you’re tracking Over 2.5 Goals games or just love action-packed matches, here’s your hot combo:
🇮🇹 Inter Milan vs Cremonese – 4 goals
🇪🇸 Real Madrid vs Villarreal – 4 goals
🇫🇷 Strasbourg vs Angers – 5 goals
Combo Tip: These teams are in strong attacking form — next week’s games are also good picks for “Over 2.5 Goals” bets or predictions.
Final Thoughts
From Vinícius Jr.’s magic to Dimarco’s dynamite cross and Berhalter’s long-range blast, this weekend reminded us why soccer is the world’s favorite game. Every position had a hero, and every match had its own story.
Next weekend promises even more excitement — and maybe another perfect 10 performance. Stay tuned, keep your eyes on these stars, and remember: teamwork and passion always win in the end!
